Tag Archives: #nystery

Book Review: Not Our Daughter by Chad Zunker

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A Thriller

Pub Date Feb 11 2025 by Thomas & Mercer

Book Description:

Propelled on a cross-country chase, devoted parents become desperate fugitives in a heart-racing novel of suspense by the author of Family Money and All He Has Left.

Thirteen years ago, Cole and Lisa Shipley were fostering an infant with hopes of adopting her. Overnight everything was turned upside down, when the child’s mother bled to death on their front doorstep. Her last words: He’s coming here…for her! Save her. Afraid, bewildered, and with a baby in their arms, they fled. The longer they hid, the guiltier they looked.

Now in a small Colorado town under assumed identities, they’ve been seemingly safe. But when a tip exposes them and Cole is framed for another murder, they take it on the run again, barreling across the western US—this time with a confused and resistant teenage girl awakening to a terrifying new reality. In the rearview is the relentless FBI agent who has never given up the hunt. And he’s not the only one.

Every frightening mile brings a family closer to the truth about that fateful night thirteen years ago. And to a killer who’s determined to finish what he started.

My Thoughts:

Lately I’ve been reading books involving the FBI and their race to catch criminals-particularly killers. I’m just going to come right out and say that I’m not a fan of the FBI nor stories written involving their investigations. There have always been or usually variables of their investigations and the way they often go about it that have irked me. That said, the ones I’ve read lately have been fast paced, better character development, uniquely written plots and entertaining reads.

In this story I felt they relied more on leads, technology -cameras, taps on phones, tips and etc. That is all well and done but one thing they failed to do in this story was look more closely at the murder, Cole “supposedly” had newly committed. If I’m correct, they didn’t look more into it until Cole spoke to the FBI agent of his innocence. Maybe I’m missing something and need to go and reread that part but that is what I’m recalling. Or it could be that it was written this way to add to the element of intensity and interest of the chase or hunt-if you will to capture the Shipleys?

When I read the scene of the murder that Cole is accused of, I immediately thought that a wider method of using forensics and a Ballistic report would definitely give the agents more information to help their investigation. Hmm… whatever the case, this story involving Cole’s family’s situation had my attention and I was completely invested in their horrific plight.

This was a fast pace, intense and thrilling read with twist and turns so much so that it had me finish reading the story less than a day. I couldn’t put it down! I needed to keep reading as I felt I was right there with the Shipley family, going through everything they were.

If you are a fan of FBI stories or looking for a great one to read, this story is for you!

I obtained an ARC from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie Hopkins

Reader’s Log 006: A New and Exciting ARC

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This past weekend has been filled with sewing projects, knitting, YouTube, reading, book reviewing and writing. I’ve come up with a system to get caught up with the review books on my backlog and at the same time review ARCs (Advance Readers’ Copy). Will share more on that soon.

For today’s blog post, I intended to post about a stack of books in my home library I am planning on reading hopefully starting this fall. However, when I turned in a review this weekend, I came across, “I died for Beauty” by Amanda Flower. I could not resist acquiring a review copy from Berkley! Everything about this book is right up my alley. Particularly a story involving Emily Dickinson investigating a crime piqued my interest. The expected date for this book to be published is not until February 25, 2025. Berkley did not specify the date requirements for posting, so I will probably be posting my review on Layered Pages a few days before the pub date. I can’t wait! So far, the books I’ve reviewed that will be published in the new year are fantastic! Next year’s reading endeavors are looking optimistic without a doubt. What are some books that you plan on reading next?

Stephanie Hopkins

I Died for Beauty by Amanda Flower

Pub Date Feb 25 2025

Berkley Publishing Group

Book Description:

When a blaze takes both a neighbor’s home and his life, Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa have a burning desire to crack the case in this new historical mystery from Agatha Award–winning author Amanda Flower.

Amherst, 1857. The Dickinson family braves one of the worst winters in New England’s history. Trains are snowbound and boats are frozen in the harbor. Emily Dickinson and her maid, Willa Noble, have never witnessed anything like it. As Amherst families attempt to keep their homes warm, fears of fire abound.

These worries prove not to be unfounded as a blaze breaks out just down the street from the Dickinson in Kelley Square, the Irish community in Amherst, and a young couple is killed, leaving behind their young child. Their deaths appear to be a tragic accident, but Emily finds herself harboring suspicions there may be more to the fire than meets the eye. Emily and Willa must withstand the frigid temperatures and discover a killer lurking among the deadly frost.